Jerry Robbin

Overview

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is Mazda’s first new vehicle built from the ground up using SkyActiv of technology. The CX5 enters a crowed field of mid size CUV’s, that are already well positioned in the marketplace It’s the first new vehicle to showcase Kodo design and a new navigation system by TomTom.

Safety

• Front and rear head airbags
• 4-wheel ABS
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
• Rear door child safety locks
• Daytime running lights
• Engine immobilizer
• Auto delay off headlamps
• 2 front headrests
• 3 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Rear center 3-point belt
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Turn signal mirrors
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Driver head restraint whiplash protection system
• Tire pressure monitoring

Driving Impression

Handling and performance

The CX-5’s ride is firm, but you can feel every bump and pothole you encounter on a typical road. The steering was very responsive and handled turns with ease. From a dead stop I found the drive train very lackluster, but once you hit 30mph you have a bit more acceleration at your disposal.

The 155-horsepower SkyActiv G engine supplies adequate with a reasonable amount of torque, but this 2.0-liter engine simply isn’t a powerful motor for the size of the CX5

Under the Hood

The 2.0-liter SkyActiv G engine produces 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque and is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. The EPA rating for the AWD model is 31 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city, averaging out to a combined 28 mpg.  This drive train is very lackluster in performance but adequate in fuel economy.

Inside

Inside the CX5 the instrument cluster is laid out very well and is easy to maneuver. The CX5 comes equipped with the start button to the right of the steering wheel. The center stack has amber illuminated automatic climate controls, new touch-screen infotainment system and had the Navigation by TomTom

The navigation had a neat option of showing current speed limit for an area and your current speed.  I found the system easy to use and fairy accurate for directions. The navigation screen also compliments the CX-5 Grand Touring’s standard rearview camera.

Bose premium audio is featured as part of entertainment system and has the Mazda infotainment system. The system features a USB port for iPod and mass-storage connectivity, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, AM/FM tuning with HD Radio decoding, satellite radio provided by Sirius, a single-disc CD player with MP3 decoding,

Other standard comfort features at the Grand Touring power moonroof, heated leather front seats, power driver seat and a blind-spot monitoring system.

Outside

The CX5 style has all new sheet metal, which is part of the new Mazda theme called “Soul of Motion” design. This new design has large headlamps large black grille. The Cx5 definitely has its own unique styling stature that makes you recognize it when you see it traveling down the road. The overall design is pleasing and makes you think of their catch phrase zoom-zoom”.

Summary

The CX-5 is worth going to the showroom for a test drive. The new technologies, that Mazda has integrated into the CX5 is definitely worth looking at.

Specifications

• Width: 72.4 in.
• Height: 67.3 in.
• Length: 179.3 in.
• Ground clearance: 8.5 in.
• Front track: 62.4 in.
• Rear track: 62.5 in.
• Wheelbase: 106.3 in.
• Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 34.1 cu.ft.
• Maximum cargo capacity: 64.8 cu.ft.

Front Seats

• Front head room: 40.1 in.
• Front hip room: 55.2 in.
• Front leg room: 41.0 in.
• Front shoulder room: 57.5 in.
• Height adjustable driver seat
• Cloth
• Bucket front seats

Rear Seats

• Rear hip Room: 53.7 in.
• Rear head room: 39.0 in.
• Rear leg room: 39.3 in.
• Rear shoulder room: 55.5 in.
• Split-folding rear seatback
• Rear ventilation ducts